The Rasmus release Eurovision bid track ‘Jezebel’
The band will perform the song at a national competition in February to compete for a spot at the international song contest in May
Finnish rock group The Rasmus have released new song ‘Jezebel’, which will serve as their bid for a competing spot at the Eurovision Song Contest.
The track is written by lead singer Lauri Ylönen and Desmond Child, who has worked with the likes of KISS and Aerosmith.
The band will perform the high-stakes track live on February 26 at ‘Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu’ (The New Music Competition) before viewers and jury members from the International UMK will decide which song will represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest, which is set to take place in Turin, Italy in May.
Listen to the song below.
Ylönen spoke about collaborating with Child again on the new single. “It was awesome to work with Desmond again. He really knows how to put a hit song together,” he said (via NME). “‘Jezebel’ is about a girl who takes what she wants, without asking. A free spirit.”
He also spoke about how the track came about: “Lauri gives me a call and says ‘Hey, I need to write the biggest, greatest song in the entire world, ever. Will you do it [with me]?’ and I said ‘Yeah but I am in Folegandros (Greece)’ and he says, ‘I’ll be right there.’
“‘Jezebel’ is a homage, a tribute, to the strong women of today, who own their bodies, who are in charge of their sensuality, their sexuality, and who are determined to be an equal.”
Earlier this month the band announced the departure of guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi.
“I have decided to make my departure from the band and seek for new adventures and challenges in life,” Rantasalmi said in a statement.
“I want to thank everybody that has made this journey possible, especially all you amazing Fans, for the best moments and memories, I Love You.”
Last year Italian rockers Måneskin won the Eurovision Song Contest with their entry ‘Zitti e buoni’, and have since gone on to receive international acclaim.
Following the win, the four piece’s cover of ‘Beggin’, first released as an EP 2017, soared to viral fame on TikTok.
Next Saturday (January 22), the group will make their ‘Saturday Night Live’ debut as the musical guests.